A BIRMINGHAM school has hired a security guard to protect "vulnerable" staff from stone-throwing youths.

A BIRMINGHAM school has hired a security guard to protect "vulnerable" staff from stone-throwing youths.

The guard has been taken on by governors at Blakesley Hall Primary in Stechford.

It follows a fight involving youths outside the school which left some staff wary of walking to nearby bus stops after lessons.

The guard, hired from a private firm, is employed for an hour each school day, from 5.15pm to 6.15pm, when most staff normally leave for home.

It is believed to be the first time in Birmingham that a school has had to resort to hiring a security guard to protect staff.

Today, Birmingham Education Authority stressed the measure was no reflection on school pupils.

And deputy head teacher Heather Phillips said the move, backed by the National Union of Teachers, was designed to make employees at the school in Yardley Green Road feel more secure.

"The school sits within a grove and there was a incident a couple of months ago when youths got into a fight," Mrs Phillips said.

"A number of staff drive in but some leave the school on foot to walk to bus stops.

"They were feeling vulnerable so we decided to employ a security guard during the winter when it gets dark early to ensure there is a presence."

Mrs Phillips said that although no members of staff were caught up in the fight between the youths, stones were thrown by the troublemakers.

The cost of the initiative was not clear but security firms approached by the Birmingham Mail said it could be up to £30 for an hourly patrol.

The security guard scheme was supported by the NUT's regional secretary Brian Carter.

"We want schools to be a focus for the community and this kind of behaviour detracts from that objective," Mr Carter said.

"We look to employers to provide all the necessary safety aspects with a view to not only protecting staff but stopping future incidents so schools can be used for the purpose for which they were intended."

A Birmingham education spokeswoman described the move as "positive action".

"The school wishes to reiterate that this measure was not introduced due to security issues involving pupils before, during or after school," she said.

Willenhall-based Grenadier Guards Security Ltd estimated the scheme could cost Blakesley Hall up to £30 a night, although a discount could be offered because a school was involved.